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February 2013
Inside This Issue Features Update from Jennifer Warawa Product Sage 50 “How-to” Business intelligence tip of the month: Using a Microsoft Excel® workbook as a data source Get your complimentary 50 Excel Tips and Tricks e-book! Training Opportunities Get 2013 certified Sage Accountants Network complimentary webcasts Sage 50 Accounting Business Intelligence complimentary webcasts Newsworthy Sage E-marketing—Mobile device trends and how they can make or break your email marketing campaigns A Sage Business Knows Security Take a Break Social media for accountants—Engaging in social media The best careers for your zodiac sign Want to be a guest columnist in the Partner Pulse?
Update from Jennifer Warawa I know February has many of our Sage Accountants Network members deep in tax season with little bandwidth for much else, but I wanted to pull you away from tax for a few moments to talk to you about the most important part of your business— your clients! I heard an accountant say the other day, “From now through April, I can only think about tax!” If you’ve heard yourself saying something similar, I challenge you to change the way you think. I’m sure you’d agree you aren’t really about tax, but more about helping your clients. In July of last year we welcomed our new executive vice president of customer experience, Brad Smith, to Sage North America. Brad brings over 18 years of related experience to his new role, most recently working at Yahoo! to design programs that support a “customer first” culture. I want to share a few things I’ve learned while working with Brad and his team over the last seven months because I think the same lessons can apply to your firm. • First, it’s about the journey. Your clients just want to get from point A to point B, but the journey they take with your business to get from point A to point B is critical. Customer experience is not just about how you treat your customers or clients. People often think if they provide good service to their customers, they will keep coming back, but that is no longer the case. In order to build an effective customer experience strategy, you need to look at every touch point your clients have with your business (their journey) and honestly evaluate how you measure up in each area. These touch points include their experience when they call or come visit your business; how things go while they are working with you; your forms, systems, and processes they encounter; the invoicing process; and even the payment process. • Second, setting clear expectations is critical. In business, things are often left to interpretation. When people call, when will you get back to them? How quickly will you turn around their taxes? How frequently do you commit to meeting with your clients? If you haven’t clearly communicated your own service level commitment to your clients, there is room for interpretation and in turn, a client feeling you didn’t live up to expectations. Make sure your clients clearly understand the services you provide and how and when you provide them so expectations are clear right from the beginning.
Update from Jennifer Warawa (continued) As you’re immersed in tax season, remember that your business really is all about your clients, not just about tax. Best wishes for a successful February!
Jennifer Warawa Vice President, Partner Programs & Channel Sales Sage North America Jennifer.Warawa@Sage.com, Twitter: @jenniferwarawa
Sage 50 “How-to”
(Figure 1) Now is the time to make sure you have everything in order for issuing 1099s. The 1099 Vendor Report in Sage 50 is a great tool to help you with that task. Go to the Reports and Forms menu and choose Accounts Payable. 1099 Vendor Report will be at or near the top of the list.
• Third, how easy are you to do business with? One of my favorite quotes from Brad is, “If we can’t get the simple to be simple and do the “Brilliant Basics” right every day—it doesn’t matter how many “Magic Moments” there are—our actions betray our intentions and focus.” I have this quote written on my white board so it’s always in front of me—it’s just that important! Sometimes in business, we are so busy trying to create outstanding moments or “wow” our customers, that we completely miss doing the “brilliant basics” right. Before you build a strategy to wow your clients, evaluate all the basics they expect when working with you to ensure you’re delivering excellence there first. (Figure 2) The standard report (Figure 2) lists all current year payments to 1099 vendors, unless those payments went to GL accounts that have been excluded from 1099s. It will also show all vendors’ 1099 type (miscellaneous or interest) and whether or not their total meets the limit requiring you to issue a 1099.
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SAN Partner Pulse February 2013
Sage 50 “How-to” (continued)
Sage 50—Business intelligence tip of the month: Using a Microsoft Excel® workbook as a data source (continued)
(Figure 3) Make sure you have a current address and tax ID number for each of these vendors. Add those to the report by clicking the Columns button and checking the Show box next to those items (Figure 3). Including the phone number will make it easier to contact people if you have questions.
This range will now be available for selection when you add new data containers within the Connector module. Creating a new connection A new connection type has been added to the Administrator tool for connecting to Microsoft Excel workbooks as the source data through an ODBC connection. To add a new data connection to a Microsoft Excel workbook, you will need to ensure that you have selected the applicable data in and have named the range prior to adding the connection within the Administrator tool. 1. Open the Connector. 2. Select the ODBC driver for Microsoft Excel.
(Figure 4) Make the report easier to read by using the Move Up and Move Down buttons to change the order of the columns and uncheck Column Break check boxes for Address and Tax ID Number as shown in (Figure 4).
Sage 50—Business intelligence tip of the month: Using a Microsoft Excel® workbook as a data source In order to use an existing Microsoft Excel workbook as a data source for a report, the data needs to be organized into named ranges. Method Naming the Data Ranges 1. Open the workbook in Microsoft Excel. 2. Make sure that the data is stored with accurate headings so that when expressions are added, the data remains meaningful. 3. Select the data required for report writing purposes by highlighting it. 4. Select Formulas, Define Name.
2. Click the Add Icon
, which will display the Connection Info window.
3. Name the connection and specify the Microsoft Excel workbook that you will be accessing. If the workbook has been protected, you will need to add the relevant user ID and correct password.
Sage 50—Business intelligence tip of the month: Using a Microsoft Excel® workbook as a data source (continued)
Sage Accountant Network—Networking
Interested in connecting with Sage Accountant Network members in your area? One of the most beneficial relationships you can have is connecting with peers through local regularly scheduled meetings. We are committed to supporting these connections and want to involve as many community members as possible. If you are interested in organizing or attending a local meeting in your community, contact Mark.Hubbard@Sage.com for details.
4. Click Add. Test the connection by clicking the Check/Test button or by right-clicking the mouse and selecting Check/Test. Subscribe here to get biweekly Sage Intelligence Tips and Tricks.
Get your complimentary 50 Excel Tips and Tricks e-book! The useful e-book provides 50 Microsoft Excel tips and tricks to improve your Excel report writing and help you use Excel to its full potential. It’s a handy reference guide to all the Excel Tips and Tricks. Get your e-book today!
Get 2013 certified All Sage Accountants Network members who wish to take their Sage 50 product knowledge to the next level can become certified. Once you are enrolled for the Certified Premier Advisor certification: • You have access to the 26-hour Sage 50 Comprehensive Anytime Learning course containing over 120+ topics/classes located on Sage University. • You have access to purchase additional training and a host of other benefits.
Sage training and education complimentary webcasts—Earn CPE credits Topic
Date and Time
Register
The Top Ten Things Every Business Owner Should Know About Payroll
February 21, 2013 1 p.m.–2 p.m. ET
Register Now
Sage 50 Managed Payroll Business Partner Program
March 7, 2013 Register Now 1 p.m.– 2:30 p.m. PT
Understanding Check Fraud
March 21, 2013 1 p.m.–2 p.m. ET
• To maintain your certification, you must pass the Product Recertification exam each year encompassing topics from the new release as well as existing product. Page 6
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These webcasts will provide information you can use now! With Business Intelligence you have customized reports, on demand, without having to manually update any spreadsheets. In these sessions the presenter will be showcasing the features and benefits of this powerful reporting tool. Date
Description
Start Time
Wednesday, February 20, 2013
Basic Report Writing (1)— This session will give you a good understanding of the modules and standard reports that are available with Sage 50
11 a.m.–12 p.m. ET Register Now
Thursday, February 21, 2013
Experience the power of the Connector Module—This webcast highlights how to create SQL Query and SQL Join Type Containers using the Connector
10 a.m.–11 a.m. ET Register Now
• Complete the 26-hour Sage 50 Comprehensive Anytime Learning course at your own pace.
• Register on Sage University (www.SageU.com) and successfully pass the Product Certification Assessment. (http://SageU.com/Peachtree_Partner/PremierAdvisor.html)
Register Now
1
Sage 50 Business Intelligence complimentary webcasts
In order to become a Certified Premier Advisor, you should:
• Study and review all related product resource topics and material listed on Sage University.
CPE Credit
SAN Partner Pulse February 2013
Sage 50 Business Intelligence complimentary webcasts (continued) Date
Description
Start Time
Friday, February 22, 2013
Advanced Report Writing (1)—This session will give you a good understanding of the Report Structure, the Financial Report, and Consolidations
11 a.m.–12 p.m. ET Register Now
Thursday, February 28, 2013
Advanced Report Writing (2)—This session will give you a good understanding of union reports, creation of union reports, and building Dashboards
11 a.m.–12 p.m. ET Register Now
Mobile device trends and how they can make or break your email marketing campaigns
Start Now
As most of you know, the sales and abilities of smartphones have increased drastically in recent years. The growth trends of mobile devices have been examined in numerous studies. “Smartphone sales across the globe will grow 46% to 687.9 million units this year and will touch 1.05 billion units in 2014,” states an article from Reuters.
Mobile device trends and how they can make or break your email marketing campaigns (continued) It is also important to do a mobile evaluation of the webpages that your emails are linked to. A survey conducted by Compuware Corporation found, “nearly 60% of web users say they expect a website to load on their mobile device in three seconds or less, and 74% are only willing to wait five seconds or less for a single webpage to load before leaving the site.” Mobile devices already account for more email opens than desktops and webmail (as shown in the chart below from Litmus), which has made mobile-optimization one of the most significant determining factors in the success of your email marketing initiatives.
A Sage Business Knows Security It’s the New Year! You’ve probably made resolutions for your personal life and maybe even your business, but consider adding “account fraud loss prevention” to your list this year. It’ll be worth your while. Sage Checks and Forms can assist. The marketplace and economy are ever-changing, and, unfortunately, check fraud against businesses is on the rise. In fact, one in four businesses will fall victim to check fraud. 1 Among organizations that suffered a financial loss due to payments fraud, the average loss was $18,400. 2 That’s why we offer one of the most secure checks on the market, Sage MaxProtect™ Checks. Security is taken to a new level with nearly 30 features including: • Foil Holograms to increase duplication difficulty. • Visible and Invisible Fluorescent Fibers to complicate copying. • Toner Adhesion Coating that damages paper when attempting to remove ink.
So in the near future one out of eight people worldwide will have a smartphone, but what does that have to do with email marketing?
• Chemically Reactive Paper to make signs of check “washing” more evident.
Email Marketing Reports says, “An April 2011 study sponsored by Google showed that 82% of smartphone users check and send email with their device.”
• Heat-Sensitive Icons that disappear when touched to help ensure authenticity.
No matter what industry you’re in, mobile devices are undoubtedly affecting your email marketing efforts. The good news is that making your emails “mobile-friendly” is not as difficult as you may think. Here are a few tips that will help you easily and effectively adapt your emails to be successful in this increasingly mobile environment: • Tailor layout for viewing on a 4-inch screen—600 pixel width, 17-22-point font size
• Watermarks that do not scan or copy—and more. However, we’re more than just secure checks. Each check order also includes one year of FraudArmor™—a fully managed fraud service that provides remediation and recovery services in the event of financial or even nonfinancial fraud. It includes fraud monitoring, stolen document replacement, identity restoration assistance, and more.
• Keep your content brief and precise—Begin with important messages and call to action
Secure checks and fraud monitoring are just the tip of the iceberg. Learn more about all of our offerings and download the latest product catalog. Or contact one of our consultants—check industry experts who can assess your needs and offer you exactly what your business needs.
• Enable quick and efficient navigation—Limit number of links; use one-column layout
Call 1-800-617-3224, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Eastern time.
• Design for touching, not clicking—Spread out links, call to action at least 40×40 pixels
Take an interactive tour and see for yourself.
• Pick images wisely—Fast loading content, alt text for every image
Key contacts
Being social Engaging in Social Media
Dedicated Account Management Team
Participating in social media is a fun, relevant way to connect with friends, clients, colleagues, and prospects. Your firm should invest in a Facebook and Twitter account right away. It is a great way to get your brand out there and connect with followers. The benefits of social media are vast and can be far reaching. The casual atmosphere of Twitter and Facebook remove the “marketing” element from the interactions, and you can connect and give advice to clients and prospects without all the pressure to buy. Plus, the question now is, “how can you not be on social media?” Managing your brand and staying aware of your competition and detractors is critical. If you upset a client, chances are he may express it online. Be where the clients are and act proactively to mend fences and monitor your brand. It benefits your clients who can interact with you on their terms and on their time, and it benefits you and your brand to be out there connecting, monitoring, and interacting.
As part of the Sage Accountants Network, you have access to a team of individuals who will be happy to take care of all of your needs. Your Customer Care (866-565-2726) team is here to help you join the program, take care of your renewals, and purchase additional Sage libraries. SageAccountantsNetwork@Sage.com
For more social media information go to the Sage Social Media Guide for Accountants.
www.SagePSS.com
Want to be a guest columnist in the Partner Pulse? You can submit your 500-word article or send us your article idea or feedback: Editor.PartnerPulse@Sage.com Submissions may be published at the discretion of Sage. Any ideas or feedback submitted may be used by Sage at its discretion.
Your Accountant Advocate (800-801-4476, Option 2) team is here to help you grow your business and make sure that you get the most out of your membership. When you have a question, feel free to call or write any time—we’re always happy to hear from you! AccountantAdvocate@Sage.com Key Web Resources: http://www.Sage50Accounting.com http://Partners.SageNorthAmerica.com www.SageU.com www.SageAccountantsNetwork.com
Calendar of events Looking for training? Regional partner meetings? Conferences? Webcasts? Check out the Sage Accountants Network Calendar of Events If you are hosting a Regional Partner Meeting, we can add your event to the SAN Calendar of Events. Just email your request to Editor.PartnerPulse@Sage.com
The best careers for your zodiac sign (This article is for entertainment purposes only) Aquarius (January 20–February 18) Key traits: Analytical, clever, inventive, and obstinate. Friendly and autonomous, you get along with most people, yet you have no problems voicing a divergent opinion. Best careers: Apps developer, veterinarian, scientist, engineer, alternative care practitioner. Careers to avoid: Any conventional job that discourages independent thinking or differing opinions. Pisces (February 19–March 20) Key traits: Compassionate, intuitive, flexible, and overly sensitive. A visionary like Albert Einstein and Dr. Seuss, you work best in a situation where you can actualize what you see in your imagination. Best careers: Artist, designer, psychologist, entertainment, charitable foundations, dog walker. Careers to avoid: Any job that has a physically or psychologically grueling schedule or deals with the harsh realities of life.
©2013 Sage Software, Inc. All rights reserved. Sage, the Sage logos, and the Sage product and service names mentioned herein are registered trademarks or trademarks of Sage Software, Inc., or its affiliated entities. All other trademarks are property of their respective owners. SPK 13-02772 02/13